STOCKTON - The San Joaquin County Fair is back, and so is the feeling that everything old and traditional is new again. Also back is the joy among the far-flung 4-H and FAA clubs.

"This is my life. I love it," said Jenna O'Brien of Ripon. "I spend every day all day taking care of them."

For her, a market turkey, a dairy goat and a pig represent "them." All three are entered in competition this week.

Last year, the mood inside the pens was angry and lonely as the fair tried - for one year only - a September incarnation.

It has returned to June for 2013, and the farm community participation has returned to normal or better levels.

On Wednesday, Jenna had just used a special hole punch to attach a yellow ear tag to "June Carter," her pig, and was wiping off blood from the wound.

"I think she actually wanted to kill me," Jenna laughed.

The 16-year-old has been a student at Ripon High School, but will be home-schooled next year as a junior and will take online courses as a senior.

"Education will be so much easier; I can stay home all day to take care of the animals," Jenna said. "I have no social skills. I'm better with adults than kids my age. The animals are my best friends."

Enthusiasm for the fair was evident on opening day.

Tom Sawyer, a member of the fair's board of directors, said the board solicited comments from fairgoers last year and used the information in assembling this year's schedule and lineup.

"The difference this year is we've made it more festival-like," Sawyer said. "Festivals seem to be more popular than the standard fair."

Sawyer mentioned events such as the motorcycle races this evening, the tractor pull Friday and Saturday and the bull-riding competition Sunday evening. Among the other events are BMX bicycle stunts, a dog-and-Frisbee show and a bird show. Musicians will be performing all around the grounds as well.

"We've got all these sideshows that are going on all the time," Sawyer said. "It's more of a circus atmosphere and a festival atmosphere than it is a typical fair atmosphere."

Sawyer also said the fairgrounds will be well-protected.

"This is the safest place to be," he said, noting that the fairgrounds will be patrolled by Stockton police officers and a private security firm. Security checks were being conducted Wednesday at the main gate. Sawyer also said probation officers will be on the grounds as well. Gangs and other would-be troublemakers won't be allowed.

"This is security heaven," he said.

In exhibit Building No. 1, the Morino family of Escalon was extremely well-represented - as usual.

"I've been coming for 22 years," said Brittney Morino, a recent graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in animal science. "We have tomatoes, cantalopes, garlic, summer squash - do you want the whole list?"

She had more than a dozen fresh food entries, some of them just barely ripe enough to bring to the fairgrounds.

Her father, Paul, was helping unload the commodity crates. "It's a family tradition," he said. "We have a huge garden, and we bring the best of what we have. We're all involved."

The competition? Nearby farmers west of Escalon and other family members. "We want bragging rights in the neighborhood," said Paul Morino.

His daughter added, "The biggest competition is right down the road."

The grounds look and feel different. The murals from last year continue to be inviting. The main stage is gone and carnival rides have taken its place.

There's a busy-looking midway this year.

"When people walk in, we want them to feel like something is happening right away," said Kate Post, the fair's marketing director. "It will be noisy this year and fun all day long."

The experience begins at the front gate, where United Way greeters are waiting.

"We have an embellished welcome," Post said. "It's kind of a Disneyland feel."

Andy Prokop, United Way's president and chief executive officer, organized the effort under the title "Change People's Lives by Donating Yours."

Prokop was at the fair early Wednesday morning, personally delivering boxes and boxes of Spanish-language children's books donated by General Mills in Lodi.

The fair continues through Sunday. During the week, it has a special, built-in audience. The San Joaquin County Activity Center, located on the fairgrounds property, has 130 special-needs adults.

"Today is different," said Director Cara Dunn. "They love the fair."

Two members of the Villalobos family were helping check in exhibitors.

"It's a lot of fun this time of year," said Corina Villalobos, a 36-year-old mother of six. "It's nice to be here and see all this - it's all about the kids."

She has worked off and on at the fairgrounds since graduating from University of the Pacific in 2011. She has a degree in liberal studies with an emphasis on special education. She works with autistic children.

Her oldest daughter, 17-year-old Cynthia, a recent graduate of East Union High School in Manteca, was also working Wednesday. For years, Cynthia Villalobos also entered pigs in the animal-showmanship competition. "We know all about 4-H madness," she said.

Mother and daughter, side by side, found themselves helping others as devoted to the fair as they are. "We'll do whatever they need," Corina Villalobos said.